Thalia let out a sigh. “That is a shame,” she said. “We’d all hoped that you’d be able to assist with this.”
“I’m sorry,” I said, looking at her apologetically.
“You’re a Channeler,” Hermia said. “Correct?”
“Yes.”
“Then you must have met with this Ancient in order to gain such powers?”
“Indeed I did. But I don’t remember the location. Rhys didn’t trust me enough to reveal that to me. I was blindfolded and escorted by him there and back. I don’t even know whether she’s being kept on earth or in the supernatural realm.”
An awkward silence descended on the hall. I kept my eyes fixed on my hands.
“Well,” Thalia said eventually, “if you really don’t have any more information to offer us, then, at least you can help us to secure our realm.”
“Certainly. I can do that.”
“We already have protection around the island, of course, but since you’re a Channeler, your magic is stronger than ours. We’d like you to put a protective spell around this place, similar in strength to that which you put around The Shade.”
The Shade. I felt a pang of guilt as she mentioned the island. There were thousands of people there, many of them dear to me—humans, vampires and werewolves alike—who were dependent on me for protection. Now that I’d left the human realm, if the black witches attacked, there would be no way they could keep them out. Patricia and the other witches there could maintain the spell of night and put up some kind of protection around them, but it wouldn’t be nearly strong enough for the might of Rhys and his kind.
But as the memory of Sofia and Kiev betraying me once again came to the forefront of my mind, fire burned through my veins, and it stifled any guilt I was feeling.
It’s just too bad.
The Shade’s queen should have thought twice about playing me for a fool.
Chapter 17: Kiev
After what felt like hours of waiting, I’d had enough.
“I can’t take this any more,” I said, shooting to my feet. “There’s got to be another way.”
“I’m all ears if you have any suggestions,” Patricia muttered, brushing a fly away from her face.
“We need to try to lure someone out.” I felt all three pairs of eyes on me as I began pacing up and down on the rock. “What could we use as bait?”
Patricia looked at me thoughtfully. “Hmm.”
“What about an explosion?” Erik offered.
“That might do it,” Patricia said.
“What if it attracts more than one witch?” Abby said. “I doubt Patricia is capable of tackling more than one.”
All eyes fell on Patricia. “We have the element of surprise on our side,” she said. “It really would depend on how many witches came out to investigate. If it was two or three, I might just be able to manage. More than that, I doubt it.”
“So we’d all have to be touching the witch in order to gain entrance?”
The witch nodded and stood up. “We can try an explosion, I suppose, and see what happens. In the meantime…” Her voice trailed off as she gripped each of our hands and pulled us toward her while muttering a chant under her breath. A few moments later, she, Abby and Erik disappeared. Looking down at my hands, I realized I had too.
“We have a better chance of succeeding at this if we’re invisible.” Patricia’s voice came from my left.
“All right. Now what?” I said.
“You vamps need to wait here in the shade while I figure out the best place to set off the explosion. Once I set it off, we’ll wait to see if anybody comes. If there are fewer than three, assume that I will attempt to close in on them and start walking toward the witches—I’ll emerge as soon as I feel I’ve got control of the situation and beckon you over.”
“And if there are more than three?” Erik’s voice came from my left.
“Then stay where you are,” Patricia replied. “I won’t attempt anything and we’ll have to come up with some other idea… I’m leaving now.”
As the witch’s presence left us, I walked over to the edge of the rocks where I could best position myself for scanning the beach. I was almost knocked forward as someone bumped into me from behind.
“Oh, sorry.” Abby’s voice came quickly.
I reached behind me and, finding her arm, guided her to a spot next to me where she was in no danger of knocking me again.
“Erik?” I said.
“Yeah.” He sounded like he was standing next to Abby.
“Okay,” I said. “Now, pay attention.”
I kept watching the beach, alert to even the slightest bit of movement as I tried to determine where Patricia was. After a few minutes, there was a sudden noise that sounded like the crack of a whip, and then in the sky, a ball of fire appeared, swirling and circling as it gathered speed. With one deafening roar, the ball exploded, sending glowing fragments flying down into the sea and onto the beach.
“Somebody must have heard that,” Abby said.
“Now it’s just a question of whether anyone cares enough to come and investigate,” Erik said.
We couldn’t be sure where Patricia was now that the explosion had died down. I supposed that, like us, she was watching the boundary.
“Come on,” I whispered, willing someone to emerge from the line of trees.
Minutes passed and nothing happened. I was beginning to think that Patricia ought to cause another explosion when a woman emerged from the forest, a few hundred yards away from us. One strap of her long blue gown hung down her shoulder and her hair was disheveled. She stopped just before crossing the boundary and looked up and down along the length of the beach.
“Phinneas,” she called.
A bare-chested warlock wearing dark pants emerged behind her. His hair was also mussed, and lipstick stained his face.
“Do you see anything?” she asked. Both scanned the length of the beach. “What could it have been?”
The warlock shrugged. “It was probably just young ones up to no good. There are no lessons today.” His hands snaked around her waist. He drew her closer to him and buried his face in her neck. “Don’t let this distract us, Riona,” he whispered. “We don’t have long.”
I held my breath, ready to let out a curse as he began pulling her back away from the boundary. They’d almost disappeared from view when the woman stopped in her tracks.
“Wait, darling,” she said breathlessly through his kisses. “Those rocks look more comfortable.” She pointed toward where Abby, Erik and I were standing.
Catching the warlock’s hand, the witch stepped out of the boundary with him and crossed the sand toward us.
“We need to move,” I hissed.
Although the sun hadn’t yet set, we had no choice but to make way for them. I wasn’t sure where Erik and Abby had scrambled off to—from the sounds of it, they’d climbed up the cliff—but I leapt from the rocks and dropped into the waters below. Hopefully I wouldn’t have to endure the sun for long, but the sea would at least help to soothe some of the burning in the meantime. I swam round the rocky enclosure and made my way back toward the beach, scanning it for any sign of Patricia.
Come on, Patricia. Where are you?
I tried to ignore the moans that were beginning to drift down from the rocks above me, but it was hard when I was still so close.
Bracing myself for the full heat of the sun, I climbed out of the water in hopes of getting a better understanding of where Patricia was and what was holding her up. She’d said she’d emerge once she felt she’d gotten control of the situation, whatever that meant.
I cast my eyes toward the two now-bare bodies writhing on the rocks. I grimaced. I wasn’t sure how we were going to pull this off. We only needed one of them, but from the looks of it, separating those two would be like separating Siamese twins.
I almost jumped as something brushed up against my arm. I whirled around, but saw nobody. Then Patricia spoke. “Kiev, is that you?”
“Yes. How did you—?” I looked down at my hands to check they were still invisible, wondering for a moment if the spell had worn off.
“Your footprints in the sand,” she murmured.
“What’s happening?”
“I’m going to try to distract the warlock, send him over toward the other side of the rocks, and then come back for the witch. The moment you see the warlock leave, stand as close as you can to her without being noticed. Instruct Abby and Erik to do the same.”
Before I could respond, she let go of me and I no longer felt her proximity. I started to climb closer toward the rocks again, trying to hide how heavy my breathing was becoming due to the pain the sun was inflicting on me.
Perched on the rocks as close as I dared, I was expecting Patricia to cause another explosion of some sort any second now. But my focus was suddenly distracted by footsteps hammering over wet sand behind me. I looked back and was stunned to see another warlock running along the beach toward us.
He was tall, wore fine clothes—an embroidered leather waistcoat and dark silk pants—and his hair was slicked back. His face was contorted with fury. His chest heaved as he raced toward the rocks. Swerving dangerously close to the amorous couple, I tucked myself in a narrow corner to avoid this man bumping into me as he approached.
Leaping up the rocks, he stood, casting a towering shadow over Phinneas and Riona. They were so absorbed in each other, they didn’t even notice his presence until his hand clamped around Riona’s throat and he tore her away.
Well, this has just gotten a whole lot more complicated.
I wasn’t sure where Patricia was now, but clearly we had to wait for this scene to unfold before we could do anything.
“Zylen,” she gasped, clutching the man’s hands around her neck.
Lowering his head to her, he spat on her face. “Whore,” he growled. “How long did you think you would get away with this?” He slammed her head against the side of the wall. “A visit to your sister’s? Is that what this is?”
Phinneas leapt up and a curse blasted from his palms, separating Zylen from Riona. He glowered at Zylen. “Don’t you dare touch her.”
Zylen jumped to his feet and hurled a curse back at Phinneas, hitting him square in the chest. Phinneas shot backward, falling down into the ocean below. Zylen leapt into the ocean after him and the two warlocks began battling in the waves.
“No!” Riona screamed, scrambling to her feet and clutching her dress against her. “Don’t hurt him.”
As Riona motioned to hurl a curse at Zylen, a beam of light shot from his palm and hit her stomach. Her legs folded beneath her and she fell on the ground, her whole body rigid. Her screams assured me that she was not dead, just paralyzed.
The battle in the waves became more and more furious by the second as the waves carried the two men further away from the rocks.
Riona’s body then began to levitate—or so it seemed until Patricia hissed, “Now. Kiev! Abby! Erik! Come over here!”
I walked over to Riona and reached out into thin air until I was touching what felt like Patricia’s shoulder. I glanced up toward the direction I’d heard Erik and Abby scramble away toward. They might have been in the sun this whole time. I hoped they’d be all right.
“Erik?” I called. “Abby?”
“Here,” my brother called behind me. “We’re here.”
The two of them brushed against me as they gripped Patricia. A few seconds later, all five of us had vanished and reappeared outside the boundary bordering the forest lining the beach.
“Now,” Patricia said, “Hold on to some part of this witch as we walk through.”
I did as she’d requested, touching the girl’s arm, and I assumed the other two did the same as we hurried through what had previously been as solid as a brick wall. This time, as I walked through, it was with ease—as though there was no boundary there at all.
We hurried further into the trees, out of direct view of the beach, where Riona’s body lowered to the ground. “What is happening? Who are you?” she gasped, tears still streaming down her face as she looked around wildly.
Patricia finally came into view, standing directly next to her, although my, Erik’s and Abby’s forms remained invisible. Patricia bent down over Riona and looked at her kindly.
“Don’t worry, dear,” she whispered, running a palm over her forehead. “When you wake up, you won’t remember what just happened. It will all seem like a bad dream…” As Patricia’s palm caressed her forehead, Riona stopped whimpering and her eyelids began drooping until they dropped shut. A few moments later, the woman was snoring.
Taking in a deep breath, Patricia stood up and looked toward our direction. Her form disappeared from sight again as she muttered, “Now the real work begins.”
Chapter 18: Mona
Although my quarters were spacious, and my maid’s rooms were situated so far from my own that I barely noticed her presence, I was beginning to feel claustrophobic remaining inside. I considered putting an invisibility spell over myself, but instead just grabbed a cloak in hopes of trying to remain at least somewhat inconspicuous. I left the palace and began walking along the roads through the city. I avoided eye contact with the witches and warlocks I passed by, hoping that most wouldn’t recognize me after all this time.
I knew that if I was to live here long-term, I couldn’t keep avoiding people. I’d have to become more sociable and reintegrate myself with the society.
But my heart was still bleeding. Any company but my own was too much of a burden to bear.
Each street I passed along seemed to have its own set of memories and walking down it unleashed them afresh in my mind. Hardly anything had changed here, even after all this time. I’d never thought I’d see the day when I’d be welcomed back home with open arms. Now that I had been, I couldn’t deny that nothing could replace The Sanctuary as my home—not The Shade, not anywhere.
I walked for hours along familiar streets until I approached the edge of the city. The buildings were becoming fewer and fewer, while sparkling lakes and fragrant meadows surrounded me. My breath hitched as I caught sight of a waterfall crashing down into a gorge. I approached the hanging bridge connecting one side to the other and began walking across it, breathing in the crisp air. I stopped once I reached the middle of the bridge and gripped the railings. As I stared down at the churning waters beneath me, my vision started to become hazy again as more tears formed behind my eyes.
Memories of Kiev began to play in my mind. From our first meeting in Aviary, to the first time we’d made love in my lake house… all that had happened between us washed over me.
I wondered if Kiev felt any remorse over what he’d done to me. Or whether he was just angry with himself for getting caught and causing me to leave the island unprotected. I was sure that it was the latter. He was too besotted with Sofia Novak.
I thought back once again to the night I’d seen them both standing in the Port. Derek Novak had been watching the scene too. I hadn’t been able to bear staying there a moment longer, so I didn’t know what had happened after I left. But I was sure that Derek would kick Kiev off the island. Perhaps Sofia had left with him.
I brushed my tears away angrily with the back of my hand.
I need to stop wasting my thoughts and emotions on a man who cares nothing for me.
Determined to distract myself, I continued walking along the bridge and, on reaching the other side, I climbed down to the rushing water. Discarding my dress and stripping to my underwear, I dove in. Surfacing, I rubbed my face, washing away the tear stains from my cheeks. Loosening my hair, I swam closer to the waterfall. I was about to duck down behind it when someone called my name.
“Mona.” A deep male voice.
I cast my eyes toward the direction of the voice to see a warlock with long blond hair standing at the bank, arms crossed over his chest.
I swam closer to him, staring at his face. It was strangely familiar, but somehow I couldn�
��t quite put a name to it.
“You don’t remember me, do you?” he said, removing his light cotton shirt and sliding into the water with me.
I shook my head, still staring at him.
“Coen.” He held out a hand. “Coen Brymer. My family lived opposite yours, and we went to school together.”
“Oh,” I said, stunned. “Coen? You… look different.”
The Coen I remembered had been a wiry, shy boy with short-cropped hair and a pale complexion. Nothing like this tan, well-built man. I probably wouldn’t have recognized him even if I spent all day staring at him.
He smirked. “I guess we’ve both grown up since we last saw each other…”
I shook his hand.
“It’s beautiful here, isn’t it?”
I nodded, backing away from him a little.
“I hope you don’t mind me intruding,” he said, wetting his hair and flicking it back.
“That’s okay.”
“I’ve been curious to see you ever since Brisalia mentioned you were back. Lots of us are… Though I see you’ve been keeping to yourself.”
I heaved a sigh. “It’s been so long since I was last here… and so much has happened since. I guess I’m still trying to ground myself.”
“That’s understandable,” he said, eyeing me closely. “I guess it also must be bizarre being welcomed by the same people who expelled you all those years ago.”
Coen clearly wasn’t one to skirt around subjects. I gave him a small smile. “Yes, that too.”
“If you wanted a little help in reintroducing yourself to people here, I’d be happy to assist.”
“Thanks.”
“It might be too soon after your arrival, but a small group of us—mostly old classmates—are gathering to celebrate my older brother’s birthday tonight, after the sun goes down. There’ll be music, food, dancing…” He swam toward the bank and climbed out, grabbing his shirt and buttoning it up. Straightening, he looked down at me. “If you feel like it, just come knocking. I still live in the same place… opposite your parents’ old home.”
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